INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC (ISCM)
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ROMANIAN SECTION OF ISCM 2011-2012

The main musical event organized by the SNR-SIMC (The Romanian Section of the International Society for Contemporary Music) has been, in this period of time, the ”MERIDIAN, Zilele SNR-SIMC” International Festival. With its Cardinal points tagline, the Romanian contemporary music section’s Festival offered audiences another attractive program in terms of experiences and latest aesthetic trends in today’s music. The festival roster included chamber concerts, recitals, the launching of a music and scores book, contemporary music and choreography shows by famous artists and ensembles, from Romania and abroad. Noteworthy composers were present in Bucharest on this occasion –either as guests of the Festival, or being featured in its programming – , hailing from various countries: Canada, Serbia, Ukraine, Italy, Sweden, France, Austria, Bulgaria, Israel, Brazil, Slovenia, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom, United States. Romanian music was at the forefront for this edition of the Festival through works by different generations of composers. The Cantacuzino Palace Hall, the George Enescu Hall and the Opera Studio of the National University of Music in Bucharest were abuzz, in early December, to the sound of contemporary music as part of a highly prestigious and established musical event on the Romanian and international music stage: the ”MERIDIAN, Zilele SNR-SIMC” International Festival.

The eighth edition of the Romanian Section of ISCM took place in Bucharest, between December 4^th and December 8^th, 2012, in the Cantacuzino Palace Hall and at the National University of Music in Bucharest: at the George Enescu Hall and the Opera and Multimedia Studio. The festival also branched to Timișoara, where a symphonic concert was held on the last day. The festival has kept the ”Cardinal points” taglinge from its previous editions, while attempting to explore the contemporary sound universe, both at home and abroad, approaching, through its concert programming, a wide variety of aesthetic orientations. The 2012 edition featured prestigious guest soloists and ensembles, from Romania and abroad. The program included concerts, chamber recitals, contemporary music shows, the opening of a photographic exhibit, a CD launch and a symphonic concert held in Timișoara by the ”Banatul” Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Radu Popa.

With regards to Romanian composers taking part in the ISCM World Music Days 2012 Festival, the international jury of the ISCM Festival selected two works: Furia, by Dan Dediu and DIN DEMULT/FROM LONG AGO by George Balint. On behalf of ARFA (the Romanian Association of Women in Arts) – a partner of the Romanian Section of ISCM and an associate member of the ISCM – the work Il gioco degli innocenti was selected, written by the composer Mihaela Vosganian – president of ARFA and a member of the ISCM-Romanian Section.

In 2012, the Romanian Section of ISCM also organized the selection of works for the ISCM World New Music Days 2013 Slovakia and Austria and ISCM World New Music Days 2013 Wroclaw (Poland) festivals. For the ISCM Festival in Slovakia and Austria, the international jury has selected, on behalf of the ISCM-Romanian Section, the BrokenSpirEggEchoCristi work, by Octavian Nemescu. On behalf of ARFA (the Romanian Association of Women in Arts), the work Glossolalia for violin and tape by Diana Rotaru was selected, Ms. Rotaru being also a member of the Romanian Section of ISCM. For the ISCM World New Music Days 2013 Festival in Wroclaw (Poland) the organizers have selected, on behalf of the Romanian Section of ISCM, two Romanian works: Entropia, by Cristian Lolea (for the 2 c category) and L’Ange avec une seule aile by Diana Rotaru (for the 1 c category).

Sorin Lerescu, President